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Saturday, May 14, 2011

My inspiration for this year's Showhouse room is the iconic Tiffany Box. Most of us know the famous color as Tiffany Blue. It actually turns out to be a very saturated and bright Aqua, though somehow "Tiffany Aqua" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

It is a stunning color for packaging, but for a room color it can be awfully loud. I wanted a fun, spring color, not radioactive South Beach teal. I matched the color as closely as possible, then dialed it back slightly to a lighter shade. Here's the room in progress:

Here are a few inspiration pictures I've held on to since starting the project (thanks to the blog Rain City Style, the Greystone Mansion Showhouse and Make Room for Living).

Friday, May 13, 2011

I couldn't have done this year's Showhouse without the help of the Milwaukee Crate & Barrel. They generously loaned two beautiful pieces - their classic upholstered Colette bed and the Avery Bombe Chest in black. I also borrowed their super plush Jenna wool rug in Ivory.

The black & white patterned lining inside the drawer, which comes with the Avery chest, couldn't be more perfect! By the way, those are original Tiffany & Co. boxes on the dresser. They were lent by friends who had been the lucky recipients of Tiffany & Co. gifts.

Hmmm, sounds like we drew our inspiration from different sources….I really love how the paint color turned out, how about you?

You know, I don’t have your vision for these sorts of things. It was definitely a brighter color than you normally work with, so I was a little unsure. But it really does look nice. The black ribbon made a big impact.

Yes, the black ribbon, that really clinched the room….

That was another idea that I didn’t totally get until it was up, but it looks really sharp. I appreciate it more now that I am no longer installing it.

Does the room inspire you to buy me some Tiffany Jewelry?

Umm, no. But I’ll buy you a Mocha at Starbucks.

That will work for me. Thanks again for supporting such a worthy cause….

While they aren't easy to capture in a snapshot, the framed photographs that hang along the west wall are essential to the room design. Although it is a Tiffany inspired room, the last thing I wanted to do was fill the space with cliche photos of Audrey Hepburn. I spent a lot of time combing the web looking for artwork that would be the right fit, and ended up settling on a group of original photographs that perfectly capture the elegance and fun spirit of the space.

Here are a couple of examples of the pictures I chose. I hope you'll have a chance to visit the Showhouse to appreciate the beauty of the framed photos in person.

Please be sure to contact me if you are interested in purchasing one of the framed prints at the Show!

I hope you'll come out to tour this truly spectacular home and help raise money for Breast Cancer Research. There are three floors of professionally designed spaces and an amazing lower level. It's not to be missed!

Click the link below to purchase tickets at the official Wisconsin Breast Cancer Showhouse Website. The Showhouse opens on June 4th - hope to see you there!